Network Conference 18th and 19th of May

The event was opened by Grant Scott, the local institutes Vice President

John Moore (Current national deputy president) outlined his main objectives for 2016/2017

Focus on reputation of industry/Profession
Focus on Young Professionals and the next generation
Focus on Chartered Status and improving training and development

Next Up Sian Fisher CEO of CII - Via pre-recorded video as she was in India – Themes were

Improving Public Confidence
Professionalism (Trust and Transparency)
Life and Pension push for more professionalism
Attracting Talent into industry
Diversity – Focus on Insuring Women’s future initiative

PWC then presented a short piece on a strategic review they are carrying out on the CII – Focus on

How to improve public perception of Profession
The value of Chartered status – How to promote
What is the Operating model of the future
How to sustainably grow
How to attract high quality and diverse talent
They are looking for people to join a working party to input into this process.

Then 3 short presentations on Chartered status and how it has been marketed to the public, Life and Pensions update – which focused on the need for change e.g. pensions reforms changes, and the fact that 9/10 people can’t afford to pay for independent financial advice. There will be a big push to drive this through the L&P industry.

The final of the three was on Learning and Assessment - Key messages around stopping cheating in coursework, they showed some interesting software that they use to catch people who “copy/paste” coursework. Talked about possible remote invigilating allowing exams to be sat from home/work rather than assessment centres – Also the use of smart watches as a potential cheating tool.

Lunch – Networking

Session on Apprenticeships – Coming into effect April 2017 – 0.5% levy on all companies with payroll bill over £3m per annum

Regional Membership Update – Victoria co presented – Main themes

National CPD support website now available – shared 150 CPD courses – Alan would be useful for you to see this

CPD seminars increasing across the board – 2013 – 180, 2014 – 650 and expect over 750 this year

Talked about the launch of the new local institutes websites

There is to be a new microsite for newly elected president providing lots of help and support

Also two new campaigns to help succession planning in local institutes and also how to get new council members

Also publishing toolkits on how to run the AGM

The Know How will be rebranded to the Hub and will allow better access to the range on info available on know how

The we broke off into the “Large Institutes” and had an hour in a more informal workshop

Covered, eflyers, DPA, linking with local employers, - good session and brought home how big some institutes are – London 23,000 members, Manchester 5k members, 24 on council and an additional 40 people in sub committees below council.

Then there were three final presentations on Education, PFS and Diversity.

In the evening a networking event near St Paul's which included an award to Tony Nash who was presented with his well deserved service award – Many congratulations, Tony.

Allan Cruse President